The Dr. Rhythm Top 10 is music that represents talent, artistry, innovation and unique style. We encourage you to research and discover this music on your own.
Mouse over selection for more, listen to examples though Amazon below.
Classic -
U2, "The Joshua Tree "
Is there really much to say about this album? Simply classic. We chose this album due to its large number of iconic songs. U2 has a unique sound to their music, it is edgy yet sensual, and powerful but still contains elements of sensitivity.
Heavy -
Iron Maiden
, "A Matter of Life and Death "
Iron Maiden has always produced great albums. If you liked the old Iron Maiden then this album should provide plenty of the hard rock you desire with some relevant topical matter.
Rock -
Cat Stevens
, "Bhudda and the Chocolate Box."
This album has some great songs that have disappeared like, "Jesus", "Music" and "Ghost Town." Despite Rolling Stone not liking this album compared to Stevens' previous works, do not let that deter you. RS missed the point. B and the CB has depth and innovation.
Funky -
Gnarls Barkley, "St. Elsewhere."
The debut album of Gnarls Barkley. Shows great talent, innovation and creativity. We have been following Danger Mouse (one of the members of Gnarls) for a while, and he is one musician who seems to have a great musical ear. Each track is well made and expresses superb musical facility. Cee-Lo's singing is interesting and dynamic.
Experimental Rock
Frank Zappa
, "Freak Out."
If you do not already have a taste for Zappa then let this album be your first. It was one his first as well. "Help I'm a Rock!" is perhaps the best track as it shows his creative influence from mid-20th century experimental composer Edgar Varèse. The CD is a little different than the original vinyl, but either will work. Try to be open minded when listening and be sure to read the linear notes.
Soundtrack -
Asche & Spencer, "Monster's Ball."
The movie is already an award winner. The music often goes unnoticed but provides an impressive subtext for the film. It is nominally minimal music in style using the electric guitar predominantly. However, the music is well crafted and very intricate despite its simple surface. We wanted to choose a non-orchestral score this week, but in the future expect a few of the great romantic style film scores under this category.
We are definitely not experts on Brazilian music but Beto provides a refreshing approach to the Samba styles that define this country. The music grooves and shakes, but is also beautiful and alluring. It is totally in Portuguese so be certain to find a translation or sexy Brazilian national to translate.
Dubstep -
Appleblim/Shackle- ton, "Soundboy's Ashes Get Chopped Out & Snorted"
Many people have never heard of Dubstep. This album is definitely something to have if you are looking to become acquainted with this unique style. It is both dance and Jamaican Dub with a whole host of new creativity. This album is hard to find, but an internet search will most likely yield good results. If you like electronic music of any kind then this album is worth investigating.
90s New Wave - The Cure, "Galore"
Subtle, fruity, cryptic and classic. Re-live the 80s and 90s with this fun, feel-good post-punk compilation.
Ambient -
Ingram Marshall, "Alcatraz"
No matter what style of music you prefer, try this album immediately. Marshall takes inspriation from the sounds, history, visual imagery, location, etc. of the infamous prison Alcatraz. The entire album is brilliantly produced and exemplifies creativity that is unparalleled. It is absolutely fantastic and you will want to listen to every second. Make sure you are ready to listen to about an hour of music that is not rock, hip-hop, alternative, etc.etc. It will be worth it.
In last few months there has been a modest amount of publicity concerning the recent YouTube Symphony audition results. If you are not familiar YouTube, along with composer Tan Dun and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, put out a call for musicians to perform at NYC's Carnegie Hall in April and specifically premiere a new work by Tan Dun (known best for his score to "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.") Musicians from around the world uploaded audition videos to the YouTube Symphony Channel (http://www.youtube.com/symphony) where users and a pre-selected panel would rate and ultimately select musicians for the orchestra project. The winners will be flown into New York City and housed for a few days to perform a concert on April 15th, 2009.
Many have touted this project as progressive or at the very best revolutionary, however, we here at Dr. Rhythm have a slightly different approach. In recent years the internet and music performance has become an increasingly common pair. Musicians can perform together in two completely different earthly locations through the use of internet2, a very high-bandwidth network usually between institutions like universities and major research centers. I have seen many projects of this kind from symphonies to global jam sessions to using Skype to teach music lesson and my only comment is "ho hum."
These projects are essentially doing nothing new, other than over using an already overused technology. We are often fooled by what we call the "blinking light" phenomenon, which is whenever we see such metaphorical "blinking lights" we suddenly become impressed and at times obsessed with their "blinking." Using technology, in this case internet technology that facilitates virtual distance (e.g I live in City A and you live in City B, I am too busy (or lazy) to travel to city B therefore the internet solves this problem) does not automatically make a project unique or interesting. You have to do something unique and/or interesting. Frankly, I would much rather watch two people perform live, than one live and one on a screen just for the sake of it.
The YouTube symphony in our opinion was a very lazy way to audition musicians. Before such projects, the audition panel would travel to a number of cities and hear the musicians in person (just like American Idol.) It was most likely a more consistent way to judge a person's ability. Now by putting the auditions on YouTube the panel just has to sit in a room and watch poor quality videos for countless hours.
I am sure that the quality of musicians for this orchestra will be high, but is this new and exciting? -- not really. When it comes to the internet, I would be more interested in artistic projects that utilize the objective of the network itself and not the resulting expediency of the infrastructure. What have we gained from the YouTube symphony project? A larger dissemination of audition opportunities? A faster evaluation process?
Perhaps I am missing something crucial, or you may think I am just plain wrong (or old) but what this really looks like is a cyber-coup by Google to invade the world of classical music in exchange for appearing falsely "cutting-edge." It could also be a culture-coup by Dun and Thomas to bring the digi-nation back to the world of classical music in the advent of waning interest from the youth of world and the so-called "digital" natives. (Don't get me started on this topic.)
Whatever the motivation, I am completely bored with these types of "internet" projects and would love for people to creatively embrace technology and ignore such incessant "blinking lights." Let us not enable these poor "digital" natives into thinking that life exists though a virtual culture online, rather promote the idea that digital technologies are in essence no different than a screwdriver. I can use such a simple tool to do just about anything, but do I really need to? Let me know what you think by contacting Dr. Rhythm...
In good musical health,
Dr. Rhythm
Ask the Doctor - 9.27.08 (want to ask the doctor? click here)
"To Drop a Class, or Not Drop a Class "
Dear Dr. Rhythm,
I am taking a music history class about jazz. I find that I really don't like or understand jazz and am seriously thinking about dropping the class. Do you any words to convince me not to?
AJ
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Dear AJ,
First, I'll assume that your either are seeking or engaging in a university education. At most universities, undergraduates have to take what is commonly known as general interest/education/studies courses. These courses usually encompass a wide variety of liberal arts, science and humanities topics.
Second, I'll assume that you are taking this class as a general course for your degree. Many students ask, "Why do I need to take these boring general classes?" It is a legitimate question which many professors and administrators do not answer.
The most common answer is that in a university education it is important to cultivate a diverse and interdisciplinary education. This means even students planning to go into engineering should take courses in the arts and languages. However, despite this being a very good asset to a broad and complete education, there is another good reason to both take and be successful in these general study courses.
When you leave college you are entering a job market where you have little to no experience in the field you are pursuing. This can be your greatest asset and liability. However, these general studies courses display an important part of your ability to learn and be successful. You could be a brilliant engineer, but if you show a consistent pattern of low grades in what are suppose to be simple classes, then it is possible that an employer may find you more of a risk than an asset. Why?
The reason for this is these classes show you can learn new subjects successfully and quickly. Even once you find employment there will always be new things to learn and if you can show that you have a track record of this behavior it could give you an extra advantage over another employee. Plus, you will have the experience of learning new things fast in which you may not have been entirely interested. A valuable skill for saving time.
So do not give up and make the time invested thus far a complete waste. Plus, you may learn you actually like jazz in the end...
In good musical health,
Dr. Rhythm
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"My Kids' raunchy musical taste "
Dear Dr. Rhythm,
My children, ages 13 and 17, listen to a lot of raunchy hip-hop and hard rock and I am worried this music will change their behavior. How can I get them interested in other, less harmful, styles of music?
PG
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Dear PG,
As their parent, you have every right to take away their music privileges if it does not resonate with your beliefs. There is some evidence pointing towards violent and/or sexual lyrics imposing these same types of behavior on children, however, in the end proper parenting will almost always override any negative effects of pejorative media.
Though, to directly answer your question, try teaching your children about the music you enjoy and/or give them listening exercises that involve music you find acceptable. You could try a variety of music trivia games, or show them films and documentaries about various musicians, though often these films show the negative aspects of these people's lives. You could also take them to concerts and other public performances that are inline with your values. Community Ed classes may also provide the kids some insight about the creation and fun aspects of music. Education is key and children may initially rebel, they will in the long run be thankful you spent the time and effort.
Whatever you chose, be active and very much a part of your children's listening behavior. This is probably good advice for other media your children imbue daily such as video games, television, movies and the internet. And do not be afraid to take your children's iPods away if your rules are not met. I guess this answer has become more of a parental empowerment message than a musical one, but I hope it steers your kids clear of any wrongdoing.
